Bicycle basket



June 9, 1959 c. s. GLI-:NNY

BxcYcLa BASKET Original Filed Oct. 4. 1954 .law M6 IS e m .m C

United States 24,656 l BICYCLE BASKET Clarence S. Glenny, Rockford, Ill., assignor to The Wash-v v burn Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts original No. 2,805,806, dated september 10, 1957, ser-lar No. 460,058, ctober 4, 1954. Application for reissue April 30, 195s, serial No. 134,379

12 Claims. (Cl. 224-36) `Mattel' enclosed in heavy brackets II] appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specilication; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

with providing improved attaching and supporting me'ans for mounting the basket on the handlebar, whereby it can be held satisfactorily so that there isl no need for anyn prop attached to the front mud guard, front fork orvlfront axle, while also making the basket substantially univer?. s 'ally adaptable to different makes and models of veloci-.1. pedes and small bicycles.

` A salient feature of the present construction is the provision of upwardly bent inverted V or U-shaped loops on `the wire top frame of the basket, which are designed to accommodate clamping bolts in the crotches thereof arranged to draw together the end portions of sheet metal clips that encircle the handlebar and have said end portions abutting the llat opposite sides of said loops and are wide enough to straddle said loops, whereby to tighten the clips on the handlebar and at the same time fasten thebasket in rigid relationship to the end portions of the'clips by the abutment of these end portions against the opposite sides of said loops. Thus, thereis'no real.l need for any brace or prop, especially on such a small. light load basket, and very little additional support of' that kind is provided. The sheet metal clips are preferably provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes in one end portion to receive the clamping bolt in whichever one of these holes should be used for a given diameter of handlebar. Thus, for example, the endmost hole is used when the clip surrounds a large handlebar, the second'hole is used when the clip surrounds a medium sized bar, and the third hole is used when the clip' is applied to the smallest handlebar. One size and style of clips will therefore t all three sizes of handlebars.

'Another important feature is the provision of a center brace which, in the preferred form, consists of a sheet metal bracket fastened onto the back of the basket and`v` having a top portion projecting rearwardly under the middle portion ofthe handlebar for more rigid support ofthe basket, another form involving merely the provision of a downwardly bent loop portion at the middle of the wire top frame for extension under and abutment with the middle portion of the handlebar for more rigid4 support of the basket.

. The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawy' ina-inwhich-z bar is indicated at 11 in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In ac- Re. 24,656 Rissued-June 9, 1959 Fig. 1 is a plan view of a basket made in accordance: with my invention and indicating in dotted lines the relationship of a velocipede handlebar to the basket when; mounted on the velocipede; Fig. `2 is a verticalsection through the basket on theline o f Fig. 1V showing how the center brace has' abutmentwith the underside of the rearwardly extending neck of said handle;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail on the line 3--3 of Fig. 4 showing the parts approximately full size and indicating in dotted lines how the clamp portion on the upper end of a handle-bar stem is arranged to engage in the depression provided in the rearwardly projecting poril tion of the center brace for rigid support of the basket;r

Fig. 4 is a view on line 4-4 of Fig. l showing the upper rear portion of the basket and illustrating a handlebar clip applied to one of the upwardly bent loop portions on the wire top frame but showing the other loop portion in front elevation and indicating in section the location of the clamping bolt, the position of the clip associated with that bolt being indicated in dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing a modied or alternative construction, and

Fig. 6 isV a sectional detail on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Similar reference numerals are applied to correspond-A ing parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawing, the basket designated generally by the numeral 10 is shown supported on the handlebar 11 ,of a velocipede, only the supportingstem 1.2jfor' the handlebar being shown in Fig. 2. A handle-l cordance with the present invention, the wire top frame. 13 is of special construction to 'cooperate with improved handlebar attaching means 14 and center brace means 1'5, the special construction of the wire top frame 13 enabling the rigid support of the basket on the handle-barf using' simple and economical sheet metal clips like those indicated at 16. These clips are designed to encircle the.4

handlebar and be drawn up tightly thereon by the tightening of bolts 17 in nuts 18 so that the end portions 19: and 20 of the clips 16, which are wide enough to straddle:

the loops 21 in the frame 13, as clearly appears in Fig.

4, 'are' brought more or less into engagement with the flat' faces on the opposite sides of these upwardly bent 'in-l verted V or U-shaped loops 21 provided on the wire top` frame 13. The bolts 17 extend through the crotches of 19 and through whichever one of the three holes 23-25 will enable drawing the clip into tight clamping engagements with the handlebar 11 and at the same time bring the end portions 19 and 20 close to if not in clamping engagement with opposite sides of the loop 21, the middle hole 24 being the one illustrated as used in Fig. 6. A lock washer 26 is preferably provided under the head of the bolt 17 to reduce likelihood of the bolt loosening after the bolt has once been tightened properly. It is manifest from inspection of Fig. 6 that when the clip 16 has., been drawn up tightly enough to clamp the handlebar 11 the end portions 19 and 20 of the clip are then also eitherA in full clamping engagement with opposite sides of the', loop portion 21 or in more or less abutment thereWith -so as to fasten the basket in rigid relationship to the,

handlebar well enough, so that in most cases no additional support or brace for the basket is needed. The clips 16 it will be understood, are of sheet metal having enough` springiness Vso that the portion that surrounds the handle fbar may be disposed with its axis' at an acute'angle with" respect to the substantially'vertical planes of the end portions 19 and 20 that have abutment with the loop portions 21 of the wire top frame 13. In other words, the construction is widely if not universrily adaptable to the requirements o f different sizes and shapes of handlebars onivelocipedes and sidewalk bicycles, and, inasmuch as the basket is supported substantially entirely by the handlebar and does not rely for support upon a prop attached to the front fork, front mudguard or front axle, it follows that the basket is substantially universally applicable to different makes and models of velocipedes and sidewalk bicycles.

For such slight additional support or bracing ae the basket may need, I provide either a center brace 15 of sheet metal construction, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, or provide a downwardly bent loop 15 at the middle of the back portion of the wire top frame 13', as shown in Fig. 5, this basket it being: understood, being otherwise of the same construction as the basketV 1.0 and adapted to be fastened to the handlebar in the same way by sheet metal clips 16 and bolts 11. The loop 15', it will be unfleretotnt entende under and bae abuttnent with. the front portion of the clamp 2f] provided on the front end of they forwardly reaching arm 28 on the upper end of a handlebar stem 29 like that shown in Fig. 3, whereby to assume a portion of the torque about the axes a-b (Fig. 5,) dened by the back portion of the -wire top frame 13', the rest and greater portion of the torque being assumed by the engagement of the upwardly projecting sheet metal loop portions 271 between the end portions 19 and" @Il of the clips 146.

rlhe sheet metal brace 1S is of generally L -shaped construction, as best appears in Fig. 2, providing a substantially horizontal portion 30 that yis adapted to be welded or otherwise suitably Secured. to tbe longitudinally attending, Wires 31 of the bottoni of the. baaltet ttl. and a .Substantially v ertioal portion 32. wbieb entende up the 'b aolt of tbey baelset behind. tbe Wire nniddle trarne 33j and in iront of the baalt portion of tbe Wire,y top trarne 13. tbs portion 32` being Welded or otherwise suitable eeeured toy said frames 31,3y andv 13,. The upper end portion of the vertical portion 37., is bent rearwardly to. provide a supporting projection 34 which has a depression 3S provided therein to accommodate the bottom portion of the` handlebar clamp 27;, as shown in Fig. 3. or simply en gage the under Side of tbe rearwardly extending peek. por: tioii 3.6 of tbe handlebar 1.1, as Shown in Figa l and. t IijILerey again, the engagement of this rearwardly projecting p njtiOn'34l on the underside of the handlebar clamp 27 or neck 3Q assumes a portion of the torque to prevent turnipg of tbe banket around anis efr-d detined by the rear portion ot tbey Wire top frame 13.. of, the, basket, tbe. otber" and greater portion of. the torque being assumed. bythe engagement of the upwardly loop portions 2l of the frame 1 3 between the end portions 1 9,Y andI 20 ofn the clips 16.`

' It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and Aadvantages of my inyention. The appended claims have been drawn, to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

Il claim:

1,. A bicycle basket comprising a body having a wire top frame, generally U-shaped sheet metal clips adapted tofencircle a handlebar on which the basket is to besupported,` each having, closely spaced` substantially parallel perforated end portions for connection with the 'basken b oltsv passed through the perforated end portions. of said elipe andthe banket to draw Said end.. portions together. elautging tbe bandlebar. in tbe eline while fastening the elipeto tbe basket, and an abutment on Said. top. trarne arranged for engagement. by apart rigid with tbe laarnile-4 bar to brace` said basket fory more rigid SUPPQrtthereof, said abutmentl comprising a generally U-shaped proieetion bent downwardly trein tbe beet; portiony et; said tranne at the lbdtllb` thereoff t baeltop, portion of said basket arranged for engagement 2. A bicycle basket comprising a body having a wire top frame, generally U-shaped sheet metal clips adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions for connection with the basket, bolts passed through the perforated end portions of said clips and the basket to draw said end portions together clamping the handlebar in the clips while fastening the Clips to the basket. and a proieetion on Said top trarne, arranged .for engagement by a part rigid with the handlebar to brace said basket for more rigid support thereof, Said proieetion being defined ou a metal Strap attaehed to the back wall ofthe basket, said strap having a top portion extending rearwardly from the back portion of the top frame for engagement ywith a bottom surface on the part rigid with the handlebar.

Ii. A bicycle basket comprising a body having a wire top trarne. generally U-.Shaped sheet rnetal elipS adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions for connection with the basket, bolts passedrthrough the perforated end portions of said clips and the basket to draw said end portions together clamping the handlebar in the clips while fastening the clips tothe basket, and a projection on said top frame arranged for engagement by a part rigid with the handlebar to vbrace said basket for more rigid support thereof, said projection being defined on a metal strap attachedl to the back wall of the basket, said strap having a top portion extending rearwardly from the back portion of the top frame for engagement with a bottom surface on the part rigid with the handlebar, said rearwardly projecting topY portion of said metal strap being bent to delinea trough to accommodate the handlebar part and center the basket relative to the handlebar and resist lateral displacement from the assembled position.

4, A bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body having openings provided in the back top portion thereof in longitudinally'spaced relation adapted to receive f asa tening bolts,` generally U-shaped sheet'metal clips adapted to entirele a handlebar on Whieh the banket is to be supported, each havingr closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions adapted to reeeive there: between the perforated beek top portions respectively of; Said. banket in Substantially parallel relationship dna-reto..4 bolte passed through the perforated end portions of said. olipS. and. through the openings in the beek top portion of.Y said basket and adapted to draw said end portions togather into close if not clamping engagement with they baels top. portion of. said basket for rigid Support of the.

basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the lliandlebar in the elipe.. to prevent turning of the baeket about tbe. handlebar ae an axis, and a projection on said b y a partrigid with the handlebar to brace said basket for more rigid support thereof, said projectionl being defined onj a metal strap attached to the back wall of thev basket, said strap having a top portion extending rear,- wardly. from the back portion of the basket for engagement with a bottom surface on the part rigid with the, handlebar.

45 .VA bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body having-openings provided in the back top portion theref. ofV inlongitudinally spaced relation adapted to receive fastening bolts,vl generally U-shaped sheet metalJ clips adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported,l each having closely spaced substantiallyfr parall eflfpertorated` end portions adapted to receive there. between the. perforated back top portions respectively o,f Said, basket. int substantially parallel relationship thereto, bolts passed.. throughY the perforated end portions of Said. Clipo. and; tbrougbf the openings in the back top portion-` of said basket and adapted to draw saidY end portions tof.

getber; intoy einen if.A not elatnping engagement withk the back top portion of said vbasket for rigid supportV of tho basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the handlebar in the clips to prevent turning of the basket about the handlebar as an axis, and a projection on said back top portion of said basket arranged for engagement by a part rigid with the handlebar to brace said basket for more rigid support thereof, said projection being dened on a metal strap attached to the back wall of the basket, said strap having a top portion extending rearwardly from the back portion of the basket for engagement with a bottom surface on the part rigid with the handlebar, said rearwardly projecting top portion of said metal strap being bent to dene a trough to accommodate the handlebar part and center the basket relative to the handlebar and resist lateral displacement from the asscmbled position.

6. A bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body having a wire top frame including a back portion, means defining moment arms on the back portion of said frame to assume torque enabling supporting the basket solely by the back portion thereof, said means comprising, as integral portions of the back portion of said frame, outwardly bent generally U-shaped projections of small radius both arms of which are joined to the frame by arcuate connecting portions of smaller radius, said projections defining eyes therein adapted to receive fastening bolts, generally U-shaped sheet metal clips that are substantially coaxially aligned and adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions that are both wider and longer in relation to the width and lenth of said U-shaped projections and therefore adapted to cover both sides thereof completely, as well as their connecting portions, and straddle the frame and receive the respective projections therebetween in substantially parallel relationship thereto, and bolts passed through the perforated end portions of said clips and the eyes in said projections and adapted to draw said end portions together into close if not clamping engagement with opposite sides of said projections for rigid support of the basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the handlebar in the clips to prevent turning of the clips and basket about the handlebar as an axis.

7. A bicycle basket as set forth in claim 6, including a projection on said top frame arranged for engagement under a part that is rigid with the handlebar, whereby to provide additional support for said basket by resisting turning of the top frame with respect to said clips.

8. A bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body of generally rectangular form having on the back top portion thereof two laterally spaced rigid projections in which openings are provided adapted to receive fastening bolts, generally U-shaped sheet metal clips adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions that are wide in relation to said projections and receive the respective projections therebetween in substantially parallel relationship thereto, bolts passed through the perforated end portions of said clips through openings in said projections and adapted to draw said end portions together into close if not clamping engagement with opposite sides of said projections for rigid support of the basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the handlebar in the clips to prevent turning of the basket about the handlebar as an axis, and a projection on the back top portion of the body of said basket arranged for engagement under a part that is rigid with the handlebar, whereby to provide additional support for said basket by resisting turning of the basket with respect to said clips.

9. A bicycle basket comprising a body having a back wall including a wire top frame member, means comprising generally U-shaped projections bent from the wire top frame member in substantially coplanar relationshp to'one another and in laterally spaced 'relation on opposite sides of the middle portion of said back wall for fastening the back wall of the basket to a bicycle, handlebar encircling clips adapted to be detachably secured to a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each projection being engaged between the end portions of a clip and receiving a bolt therein for drawing the end portions of the clip toward each other into engagement with the opposite sides of the projection, while fastening the clip to the handlebar against turning, for rigid support of the basket by means of said projections, and a rigid projection on said back wall extending rearwardly from the middle portion of the basket und arranged for engagement with a bottom surface on a part rigid with the middle portion of the handlebar, whereby to limit turning of the basket aboutv the handlebar as an axis and brace said basket for more rigid support thereof.

10. A bicycle basket comprising a body having a back wall including a wire top frame member, means comprising generally U-shaped projections bent from the wire top frame member in substantially coplanar relationship to one another and in laterally spaced relation on opposite sides of the middle portion of said back wall for fastening the back wall of the basket to a bicycle, handlebar encircling clips adapted to be detachably secured to a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each projection being engaged between the end portions of u clip and receiving a bolt therein for drawing the end portions of the clip toward each other into engagement with the opposite sides of the projection, while fastening the clip to the handlebar against turining, for rigid support of the basket by means of said projectons, and a rigid projection on the middle of said back wall extending rearwardly from the basket and arranged for engagement with a bottom surface on a part rigid with the middle portion of the handlebar, whereby to limit turning of the basket about the handlebar as an axis and brace said basket for more rigid support thereof, said rearward projection being bent so as to provide upwardly diverging side portions between which to accommodate the handlebar part and center the basket relative to the handlebar and resist lateral displacement from assembled position on the bicycle.

11. A bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body having a wire top frame including a back portion, means defining two outwardly projecting moment arms on the back portion of said frame to assume torque, enabling supporting of the basket solely by the top frame on a handlebar, said means comprising, as two spaced coplanar integral portions of the back portion of said frame, outwardly bent inverted generally U-shaped projections that are relatively short and only wide enough to dene eyes therein adapted to receive fastening bolts therethrough, inverted generally U-shaped sheet metal clips that are substantially coaxially aligned and adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions adapted for labutment throughout substantial portions of the areas of both sides of said U-shaped projections while straddling the frame and receiving the respective projections therebetween in substantially parallel relationship thereto, and bolts passed through the perforated end portions of said clips and the eyes in said projections and adapted to` draw said end portion together into close if not clamping engagement with opposite sides of said projections for rigid support of the basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the handlebar in the clips to prevent turing of the clips and basket about the handlebar as an axis.

12. A bicycle basket comprising, in combination, a body of generally rectangular form having on the back top portion thereof two laterally spaced coplanar p0r-v tions rigid with the body, each having an opening adapted to reoe'ive a fastening bolt, two generally U-shaped sheet metal clips adapted to encircle a handlebar on which the basket is to be supported, each having closely spaced substantially parallel perforated end portions that receive one of the aforesaid body back portions therebetween in substantially parallel relationship thereto, and bolts passed through the perforated end portions of said clips through the openings in said body back portions and adapted to draw said end portions together into close if not clamping engagement with opposite sides of said body back portions for rigid support of the basket on the handlebar while at the same time clamping the handlebar in the clips to prevent turning of the basket about the handlebar as an axis.

8 References Cited in the le of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

